Isokinetic quadriceps physiotherapy after knee surgery: a retrospective study.
Siniša Nikolić, Borislav Obradović, Vanja Dimitrijević and 2 others
PMID 38818411WHAT IT FOUND
Isokinetic quadriceps training led to much greater strength gains than isotonic training after ACL surgery.
The isokinetic group showed significantly higher peak torque after six weeks, while the isotonic group showed less improvement. This suggests isokinetic exercises are more effective for quadriceps recovery.
Key findings
01At the final measurement after six weeks, 92.2% of the isokinetic group achieved the highest strength class, compared to only 8.9% in the isotonic group.
02The difference in quadriceps peak torque between the isokinetic and isotonic groups was statistically significant at the end of the six-week rehabilitation period.
03There was no significant difference in quadriceps strength between the two groups at the initial measurement or after three weeks of rehabilitation.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study is retrospective, which limits the control over variables and introduces potential bias. The sample consisted only of male patients, so results may not generalize to women. The groups were divided by protocol rather than randomized, meaning baseline differences or selection biases could have influenced the outcomes. Only one isokinetic parameter (peak torque at 60 °/s) was analyzed, ignoring other important measures like muscle work or bilateral asymmetry. The study did not track functional outcomes or return-to-sport rates, focusing solely on strength metrics.
Declared interests
The authors declared financial support from the Provincial Secretariat for Higher Education and Scientific Research of AP Vojvodina.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume isokinetic training is superior for all patients or at all stages of recovery. The study found no significant difference between the groups at the initial measurement or after three weeks, and the benefits only became clear after six weeks. Additionally, the study included only male patients with a specific surgical graft, so these results may not apply to women or patients with different surgical techniques.